Aq. 35 vol% coating colors were prepd., based on natural CaCO3, styrene-butadiene latex (SBL), 5 pph, and PVA, 2 or 4 parts per hundred (pph), used as a hydrophilic binding agent. The colors were applied on basestock by using a draw-down coater to prep. dry coating 2.2-48 pm thick, depending on the K bar used. The papers were IR-dried, calendered, and stored at 23 +/- 1 degrees C and 50 +/- 2% relative humidity. Higher PVA content resulted in lower liq. absorption and higher dry pick resistance. Thicker coatings absorbed less water and were more dry pick resistant.